The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is set to host grand celebrations as the iconic Wankhede Stadium, the pride of Mumbai, commemorates its 50th anniversary next month. MCA President Shri Ajinkya Naik announced today that the festivities will get underway on January 12, 2025, culminating in a grand spectacle on January 19, 2025, at the historic stadium. The grand show on January 19 will witness an unparalleled gathering of Mumbai’s domestic and international cricket legends—past and present. The event will also feature mesmerizing performances by renowned artists Avadhoot Gupte and Ajay-Atul, capped by a breathtaking laser show. VIDEO: "We all are excited for the celebration; we have invited many former and current India players. On January 12, we'll host a special cricket match between common will chancellor generals and bureaucrats from Mumbai where MCA officials will play against them. We will have a… pic.twitter.com/0jUM0odZ8F — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 19, 2024 At the press conference attended by MCA office-bearers and Apex Council Members, a special 50th-anniversary logo was unveiled to mark the occasion. MCA President Ajinkya Naik further revealed plans to release a commemorative postal stamp and coffee table book on January 19 honouring Wankhede Stadium’s rich legacy, which has been graced by cricketing legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, among other such decorated stalwarts. MCA will also felicitate the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, and, Shri Ashish Shelar the former MCA President & newly appointed cabinet minister in the Maharashtra government, on January 19. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ajinkya Naik said: "The Wankhede Stadium is a national pride, and its 50th anniversary is a historic milestone for us. This stadium has been the backdrop to countless unforgettable moments for players and fans alike. Through a week-long celebration and a mega evening event, we aim to honour its rich cricketing history and glorious journey. At MCA, we take immense pride in celebrating cricket’s legacy and look forward to bringing the entire cricketing community together for this landmark event.” Also Read: ‘Maidan’ win for Ajinkya Naik Built in 1974, Wankhede Stadium stands as one of the world’s most iconic cricketing venues, having witnessed monumental moments in cricket history. From Sachin Tendulkar’s final international match in 2013 to India’s historic 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, the stadium has been home to countless memories. Speaking at the press conference, Shri. Abhay Hadap, Secretary, MCA, added: “Wankhede Stadium holds a special place in the hearts of cricket fans. The 50th-anniversary celebrations are a momentous occasion for MCA as well as the entire cricketing fraternity, and I warmly invite all Mumbaikars to join in the celebrations.” Also Read: Virat Kohli's meltdown at Melbourne airport over media intrusion: Report As part of the celebration week, MCA will conduct a cricket match between MCA officials and Consul Generals, bureaucrats on January 12. They will also organise a special lunch for the groundsmen of MCA’s clubs and grounds on January 15, celebrating the contributions and commitment of Mumbai cricket’s unsung heroes. Tickets for the grand show on January 19, 2025 will be available on District by Zomato and Insider.in, going live from 4 PM (IST) today. Starting at ₹300, tickets will offer fans an opportunity to be part of the historic celebration and witness an exciting evening. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 December,2024 02:06 PM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesThe most successful bowler in the history of cricket, Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan on Wednesday praised fellow off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin of India who announced his retirement from international cricket, calling him an inspiration for aspiring cricketers. Ashwin retired from international cricket with 537 wickets in 106 Tests, following the conclusion of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. Ashwin hung up his boots as the second-highest wicket-taker for India behind Anil Kumble (619) and Murali said this is no mean feat. "You must remember that Ashwin started his career as a batsman, dabbling in spin as a part-time option. He soon realised the writing was on the wall for his batting aspirations and shifted his focus to bowling. Hats off to him for making that bold pivot and achieving what he has. Reaching 500 Test wickets is no walk in the park," Muralitharan told Telecom Asia Sport (telecomasia.net) in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. Muralitharan, who retired from Test cricket with 800 wickets in 133 matches, had observed Ashwin in his early days and found him as an astute young man always eager to learn. "I was at the tail end of my career when he came onto the scene, but he struck me as an astute young man eager to learn. He sought advice, asked thoughtful questions, and put in hard work to better himself. That drive and hunger are what set him apart," Murali was quoted as saying by Telecom Asia Sport. With 537 Test wickets to his name, Ashwin is the seventh most successful bowler in Test history and the second most successful off-spinner behind Murali. "To retire as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests is a monumental feat. Ashwin has made himself, Tamil Nadu cricket, and the entire nation proud. I wish him all the success in his second innings," said Murali. What impressed Murali is that Ashwin's passion for learning was always strong. "Even as his career was winding down, his passion for learning never waned. Look at the variations he developed – proof that he wasn’t content to rest on his laurels. He always kept pushing the envelope," said the Sri Lankan legend. (With agency inputs)
19 December,2024 01:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOne of the premier off-spinner of his time, Saqlain Mushtaq of Pakistan reacted negatively when Ravichandran Ashwin was drafted into the Indian team as a replacement for Harbhajan Singh. Saqlain called Ashwin's entry into the team a “premature selection”. On Wednesday when the off-spinner from Chennai announced his retirement from international cricket as the second most successful off-spinner after Muttiah Muralitharan with 537 wickets in 106 Tests, Saqlain says Ashwin forced him to change his views. Though they have never played against each other, Saqlian has over the years become a fan of Ashwin's bowling. "When Ashwin was drafted into the Indian Test team in 2011, I gave an interview and described it as a premature selection because I thought Harbhajan was still good enough then to continue. But I must admit Ashwin changed my views with his rapid rise, intelligence, and craft to trap the best batters that made him one of the greatest spinners in world cricket,” Saqlain told Telecom Asia Sport in an exclusive interview. Saqlain is himself listed among the greatest off-spinners the game has seen, credited for inventing the “doosra” – the delivery that turns the other direction to an off-break, and has seen Ashwin from close quarters as spin bowling consultant of England when they visited India in 2016-17. As a consultant with the West Indies, New Zealand, and Bangladesh teams over the years, he has also kept a close eye on Ashwin's bowling for the various teams he has coached. This has made Saqlain analyze Ashwin closely and understand the Indian spinner's craft better, thus earning the Pakistan great's respect. “He had made a name for himself but it dawned on me when I spoke to him on a domestic flight. We were sitting together and when he spoke about spin bowling in general and cricket in particular, I realized that he is an intelligent cricketer who knows the art of spin bowling," Saqlian said. “From there on I always enjoyed speaking to him. I have always enjoyed his bowling and whenever I got to see the highlight he always enamored me. He is a very sophisticated, down-to-earth boy and brainy bowler who would trap the best of batters with uncanny guile. “When I said that his selection was done in haste I had dreaded that this boy might fall under heft of expectations because it was not easy to replace a great like Harbhajan. But he improved by leaps and bounds and the main reason was that he was always a good student of the game. He kept learning and that made him a great bowler,” said the 47-year-old Saqlain who claimed 208 wickets for Pakistan in 49 Tests. Saqlain said Indian cricket in general and world cricket in particular will miss Ashwin. “For sure he will be missed. He and Nathan Lyon have kept the off-spin bowling alive and wherever cricket is played and watched Ashwin will be missed.” “I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours, whatever he will do he will do it like the way he played cricket; extraordinarily.” Ashwin is the greatest bowler of the decade Another Pakistan spinner, Saeed Ajmal described Ashwin as a “world-class spinner and super human being” and said he is the greatest bowler of the last decade. “Someone with 537 wickets in 106 Tests must be a great bowler but it is not only the record but the guile that made Ashwin a legendary bowler. We had a mutual respect for being the same style bowler. He used to admire me whenever I had success and when he had a good match I admired him. The best thing about Ashwin was that he used to always meet in a joyous mood. That made him a great human being. No matter how tense the India-Pakistan games were, we always had a laugh and shared some precious moments on and off the field.” “To me, Ashwin is the greatest bowler in the last decade,” said Ajmal. Ashwin stunned the world by retiring from international career at the end of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. (With agency inputs)
19 December,2024 01:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTaskin Ahmed took three wickets for 16 runs and three other Bangladesh bowlers picked up two wickets each to lead the visitors to a 27-run victory over the West Indies and a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Shamim Hossain, named player of the match, top-scored with 35 runs not out off 17 balls for Bangladesh, which finished its 20 overs twice interrupted by rain at 129-7. Mehidy Hasan Miraz added 26 and Gudakesh Motie took 2-25 for the home side on Tuesday. The West Indies, which won the toss, was bowled out for 102 in 18.3 overs. Roston Chase top-scored for the home side with 32 runs as the West Indies collapsed to lose its last four wickets for 13 runs. After losing the preceding ODI series 3-0, Bangladesh won the first T20 match by seven runs on Sunday. The third match is scheduled for Thursday, also at St. Vincent. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 December,2024 01:43 PM IST | Kingstown | PTITop India batter Sanju Samson has been left out of Kerala's squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy after he failed to participate in the preparatory camp before the tournament, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Earlier in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, Samson led the Kerala squad, where they narrowly missed out on qualifying for the knockouts. Kerala won four of six matches in the tournament. According to ESPNcricinfo, Samson had written to the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), where he stated the reason behind his unavailability for the camp. However, KCA stuck to their rule of including players in the squad who have taken part in the preparatory camp. Batter Salman Nizar will lead the Kerala squad in the upcoming 50-over domestic tournament after Sachin Baby was ruled out of the tournament as he suffered an injury during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25. Recently, Sanju Samson had a bumper T20I tour of South Africa with two centuries. Kerala squad: Salman Nizar (C), Rohan Kunnummal, Shoun Roger, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), Anand Krishnan, Krishna Prasad, Jalaj Saxena, Aditya Sarwate, Sijomon Joseph, Basil Thampi, Basil NP, Nidheesh MD, Eden Apple Tom, Sharafuddeen, Akhil Scaria, Vishweshwar Suresh, Vaishak Chandran, Ajnas M (WK). Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) also confirmed that senior batter Manish Pandey will miss the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy since the association has decided to give chances to youngsters. KSCA selection committee chairman J Abhiram said that they have realised to move on from the players of old and bring in new blood. "We as an association have realised that we need to move on from the players of old and bring in new blood. We cannot live in past glory," Abhiram was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying. Karnataka squad: Mayank Agarwal (C), Shreyas Gopal (VC), S Nikin Jose, KV Aneesh, R Smaran, KL Shrijith, Abhinav Manohar, Hardik Raj, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Vasuki Koushik, Vidyadhar Patil, Kishan Bedare, Abhilash Shetty, Manoj Bhandage, Pravin Dubey, Luvnith Sisodia. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 December,2024 01:41 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIIn the days leading up to the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test, Virat Kohli found himself at the center of a heated confrontation with an Australian journalist at Melbourne Airport. The altercation, which was captured on camera by Channel 7, immediately drew attention due to its intensity and the underlying reasons. Kohli, often celebrated as a modern-day cricketing great, was visibly irked by the intrusive cameras directed at his family. Also Read: Did Gambhir’s selection calls push Ashwin to call time on his career sooner than expected? Kohli’s outburst: A stand for family privacy Kohli’s irritation was apparent as the cameras zoomed in on him and his family. The catalyst for his outburst seemed to be the arrival of his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, along with their young children, Vamika and Akaay. Kohli, who has long been outspoken about his opposition to media intrusion into his personal life, felt compelled to address the situation directly. The typically composed cricketer, who is known for his focus on the field, was angered by the breach of privacy. Virat Kohli has lashed out at media while arriving in Melbourne ahead of next week’s Boxing Day Test. https://t.co/FpjeffQc0Y @NGMarkham @7Cricket #AUSvIND #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/RMeOU7azyG — 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) December 19, 2024 In the footage, Kohli can be seen briefly leaving the scene, only to return moments later to voice his frustration further, suggesting that the exchange was both swift and intense. While the specifics of his remarks are unclear, his tone appeared to be a pointed rebuke of the cameraman’s behavior. After another brief confrontation, Kohli and his family moved on through the airport, leaving many in the media curious about his limits when it comes to personal boundaries. While the altercation at Melbourne Airport may have been a rare public eruption from Kohli, it is hard to ignore the mounting pressure the cricketer has been facing, both on and off the field. Despite an illustrious career, Kohli has struggled with form recently, particularly in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series. His performances have fallen short of the extraordinary standards that fans have come to expect, even though he made a courageous century in the first Test in Perth. This dip in form could have contributed to the heightened stress he is under, further explaining his emotional outburst. Kohli and Anushka Sharma have made a conscious effort to shield their children from the public eye. Recently, Sharma posted an intimate photograph of Kohli holding their children, yet cleverly obscured their faces with emojis, reinforcing their commitment to family privacy.
19 December,2024 01:39 PM IST | Sydney | mid-day online correspondentA cricketer only calls time when he knows that he has had "enough" and something must have snapped within Ravichandran Ashwin when he decided to announce his retirement, former India opener WV Raman, who also happens to be his first-class coach, said on Wednesday. Ashwin, India's second-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 537 scalps, announced his international retirement after India drew with Australia in the third Test in Brisbane. "I think there has been an instance before when a cricketer retired during a series. It's not the first time this has happened. Secondly, a cricketer retires when he feels that he's had enough," Raman, one of the most respected cricket voices in the country, told PTI during an interaction Raman said that no cricketer knows when exactly that realisation comes but it does one fine day. "It's all a case of things slowing down in one's mind or suddenly a cricketer gets a feeling that oh, enough! I can't really go through this routine of getting up or training, going to the ground, and doing things over and over again. "There's no saying as to when suddenly this snap happens in the mind. But when that happens, that's when a cricketer decides to call it a day," Raman, who as a coach worked with a young 20-year-old Ashwin making his Tamil Nadu debut, said. In case of Ashwin, Raman felt that he probably knew that hanging around wouldn't have made a lot of difference. "He has been around for a long, long time. Perhaps, he must have felt that if he's not going to really make any difference or make any contribution, there's no point in hanging around. "Let's face it for somebody who has been as combative and as competitive as Ashwin has been, and for a match-winner that he's been over a long period of time, it's not a great situation to be thinking in his mind "To be or not to be", what is better." For Ashwin, it was perhaps deciding "one way over other" once and for all. "He decides one way or the other. That's exactly what he's done when it's obviously perhaps, snapped in his mind that now it's pointless, and there's absolutely no motivation left. I think that's when a cricketer calls it a day. I think that's what has happened with Ashwin as well." Why Ashwin was different? What Raman liked instantly about a young Ashwin walking into the Tamil Nadu dressing room was not being afraid to ask questions. "He was very free-spirited. He was very curious, and he was fearless in approaching people and talking to them and asking questions and grilling them. "And that's something that made him stand apart from the rest, because normally youngsters, when they're just getting into the first-class scenario, or they make it to the state side, they tend to be reticent. "They also try and assess as to what would be the ideal time to talk to a few people? Or is it okay to talk to people too much," Raman recalled his early days. "But Ashwin never had any such questions crossing his mind, but he had a lot of questions for the others, which I thought was something different about him. "He was genuinely interested in trying to learn and try and discuss as much as possible, and the impression that you'd also get if you were to have two or three discussions with him is that that this boy is absolutely cricket mad," Raman recalled about one of his favourite wards. Funny incident Raman, who is known for his sense of humour, recollected an incident during Ashwin's first season. "Today, when I think about it, I laugh." He then narrated the incident. "In the first season that I was coach of Tamil Nadu, I think we had a bad game against Karnataka and needed to win last couple of games to stay in Elite group. "So everybody was asked to give their viewpoint and also see if we can get any solution from any one of them, because sometimes the players come out with better suggestions than the coaches or the entire group of support staff. "So Ashwin being Ashwin, says, "Sir, I'll tell you something here which, because I don't think you are aware of it, and he said. "I can bat reasonably well, so you can possibly look at sending me up the order." Raman cracks up even today. "You know, if at all, you're giving marks for timing, you would give him a minus 100 for that statement of his at that point. As we were heading back to the hotel, I couldn't control myself. "It was so hilarious to think of a young man suddenly out of nowhere without realizing the situation or without even pausing to think as to how it will be received, or whether it's the right time to talk about his own abilities, he just comes out with it without a problem, and that was, I think, his strength as well, which also could have been his weakness later on, at some points in life for him. "But full marks term for being his own righteous self through his cricketing career. And he has had a great career," Raman concluded. (With agency inputs)
19 December,2024 01:32 PM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentA day after announcing his retirement from international cricket midway into the Test series against Australia, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a quiet early-morning return to the country on Thursday. Ashwin could be seen was escorted out of the Chennai International Airport by local officials as fans took photographs before he left with his family without talking to the waiting media. #WATCH | Ravichandran Ashwin says, "...I am going to play for CSK and don't be surprised if I try and aspire to play for as long as I can. I don't think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think Ashwin the Indian cricketer has probably called it time. That's it."When asked if… https://t.co/wm7IaTfuGd pic.twitter.com/vaNvUHsNYR — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024 Ashwin on Wednesday announced retirement with immediate effect in the middle of the five-match Test series that is locked 1-1 after three games. He will continue to play club cricket, including the IPL, where he will return to play for Chennai Super Kings next year. He signed off as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, placing him only behind the great Anil Kumble (619 wickets) in the overall statistics. "I do feel there is bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would like to showcase that in club-level cricket," Ashwin said in a brief statement during a joint press conference with skipper Rohit Sharma in Brisbane at the end of the drawn third Test there. Also Read: Uncertain future, family insight: Why R Ashwin chose to retire mid-series? Before boarding an evening flight for Chennai, Ashwin also addressed his teammates, assuring them of being there for them as and when they need. "The cricketer in me, the Indian cricketer, international cricketer might have come to an end, but the cricket nut in me will never come to an end," he told the dressing room in a farewell address shared by the BCCI on social media. In the limited-overs format, being part of the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning teams would count among the major highlights of his 14-year career. Ashwin played 116 ODIs for India, claiming 156 wickets, while his 65 T20 International outings yielded 72 scalps. His career began in 2010 in the one-day format before he made his Test debut a year later. (With agency inputs)
19 December,2024 11:10 AM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentRavichandran Ashwin’s unexpected decision to retire midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. At 38, Ashwin, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, has chosen to bring an end to his illustrious career after amassing 537 wickets in 106 Tests. His retirement, announced on Wednesday, was not only a personal choice but also influenced by two major factors: persistent injury problems and uncertainties regarding his future with India’s Test team. Reports have revealed that Ashwin had been wrestling with the idea of retirement for some time before making his final decision. In fact, he was already contemplating stepping away from the game before the first Test in Perth. However, he had not made a conclusive choice until recently. According to sources close to Ashwin, he informed his family of his intentions the night before making the announcement, and while they encouraged him to carefully weigh his decision, the confirmation came shortly after. One of the primary factors behind Ashwin’s retirement was his ongoing knee injury, which had been bothering him for some time. Despite his immense skill and experience, the physical toll of his injury struggles, coupled with the demands of international cricket, became too much for him to ignore. Ashwin’s age, at 38, further compounded the situation, as maintaining peak performance at this stage of his career was becoming increasingly difficult. Additionally, Ashwin’s role in the Indian team had come under scrutiny during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite his status as one of the premier spinners in world cricket, Ashwin played only one of the three Tests in the series so far. In the other two Tests, he found himself sidelined in favor of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, both of whom were preferred for the conditions. This lack of a consistent place in the playing XI, especially in overseas conditions, contributed significantly to his decision to retire. It became clear to Ashwin that his future in India’s Test team was uncertain, and this realization prompted him to step away while he still had the chance to control his exit. According to reports, Ashwin made his retirement announcement individually to each of his teammates, who were taken aback by the sudden news. His decision, though carefully considered, caught many by surprise, leaving his colleagues in shock. Ashwin’s departure from international cricket marks the end of a significant era in Indian cricket, and the response from the Indian team has been one of deep surprise and respect for his remarkable contributions. Ashwin’s final Test match, ironically, was the pink-ball encounter in Adelaide, where India suffered a 10-wicket loss to Australia. During this match, Ashwin took just one wicket, that of Mitchell Marsh, finishing with modest figures of 1/53 from 18 overs. This farewell performance, while not a grand finale, is a fitting reminder of the challenges that even the best face in the twilight of their careers.
19 December,2024 11:03 AM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentExcitement is building for the biggest Women's Test match ever, with a giant pink cricket ball hot air balloon soaring over Melbourne and the MCG this morning, ahead of the CommBank Women's Ashes Day-Night Test from Jan 30-Feb 2. The balloon will be tethered in Yarra Park during the NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test and fly over Melbourne before the match. "The pink cricket ball hot air balloon is a fun way to build awareness and anticipation for the Women's Ashes. The seven-match multi-format series includes T20 matches at the SCG, Manuka Oval and the Adelaide Oval and culminates in the historic first-ever Day-Night Test at the MCG starting on January 30," Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley said as quoted by a press release. Eyes up Melbourne! 🎈Yes, that was a giant pink cricket ball flying over your heads this morning, as we continue the countdown to the Day-Night Women's Ashes Test at the mighty @MCG. pic.twitter.com/RgnNjdPO5n — Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 19, 2024 "This is shaping up to be a historic Ashes series that also celebrates the 90th anniversary of the first women's Test match in December 1934. The balloon is the first of its kind and forms part of the build-up to this highly anticipated Women's Ashes series," Hockley said as the release added. Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah: The India sling king revelling in Australia Australia will start its Women's Ashes campaign in Sydney on January 12 with the first of three ODIs and conclude with a historic pink-ball Test at the MCG starting on January 30. CommBank Women's Ashes Fixture January 12: First ODI, North Sydney Oval January 14: Second ODI, CitiPower Centre January 17: Third ODI, Ninja Stadium January 20: First T20I, SCG January 23: Second T20I, Manuka Oval January 25: Third T20I, Adelaide Oval January 30 - February 2: Day-Night Test, MCG This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 December,2024 10:28 AM IST | Melbourne | AgenciesWith his 'slingshot' delivery and ability to unsettle the world's best batsmen, India's Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as one of cricket's greatest fast bowlers. The 31-year-old has defied career-threatening back problems and on Wednesday overtook Kapil Dev to become India's leading Test wicket-taker in Australia. Bumrah, India's player of the series so far, took nine wickets in the third Test at Brisbane to move to 53 in Australia and past Dev's previous mark of 51. He was player of the match in India's 295-run victory in Perth in the opening Test, before the hosts levelled the series in Adelaide. He is the leading bowler on either side with 21 wickets in the series so far at a scarcely believable average of 10.90. The next best are Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins with 14 dismissals each. "I think he is definitely India's greatest fast bowler," former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said of Bumrah. 'Clearly the best' "In T20 cricket, one-day cricket and Test match cricket, he's clearly the best right now." Travis Head, who has excelled with the bat for Australia in the five-match series scoring two centuries and a fifty, went even further. "Jasprit is probably going to go down as one of the greatest fast bowlers to play the game," said Head. Bumrah, captaining in the first Test in the absence of Rohit Sharma, made life hell for the Australian batsmen on a bouncing Perth pitch. He took 5-30 from 18 overs as the hosts were shot out for 104 and followed up with 3-42 in the second innings as India won by 295 runs. His unorthodox front-on action allows him to release the ball late and he can bowl yorkers at will. Australia's quick bowler Josh Hazlewood marvelled at Bumrah's idiosyncratic style, which was honed in his childhood while practising in a small car park near his family's apartment in the city of Ahmedabad. "If you haven't faced him before, it can really unsettle you," Hazlewood said. "He lets the ball go way out in front, so he's pretty much half a yard quicker than what the actual speed gun says. "He's like a slingshot loading up and letting go." Also Read: India salvage a draw Bumrah's match haul in Perth had some pundits questioning the legality of his deliveries, which appear to be bowled with a bent elbow. Australian great and former India coach Greg Chappell soon jumped to Bumrah's defence, describing the debate as "nonsense" and deeming Bumrah's action "unequivocally clean". Bumrah has had his share of struggles and only came back into the India team last year after a serious back injury that kept him out of action in 2022 and 2023. He played a key part in India's June T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados, where he was instrumental in preventing South Africa scoring 30 runs off the last 30 balls to win the final, a performance dubbed a "masterclass" by Rohit. The seeds of his greatness were sown at his Indian Premier League team Mumbai Indians, where he has been a fixture for more than a decade. Former New Zealand batsman John Wright scouted the pace bowler from his home state of Gujarat and brought him to Mumbai in 2013, when the Indians won the first of their five IPL titles. Bumrah made an instant impact by dismissing Bengaluru's star batsman Virat Kohli in his first match. Head, who fell to Bumrah in the second innings at Perth, said he loved trying to solve the conundrum that is the enigmatic bowler. "It's going to be nice to look back at your career and tell the grandkids that you faced him," he said. (With AFP inputs)
19 December,2024 09:42 AM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
